Romans 8:26

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Today's Thought: Pray and trust God for He knows what is best.

In the United Nations, there are several interpreters who work for many representatives and delegates. They are tasked to interpret any speech or deliberation for those who don't speak the English language. When one goes to a foreign country, it is hard for one to understand directions or even the menu. There is always a need for an interpreter.

The Holy Spirit acts as an interpreter. We don't know what we should pray. It is through the help of the Holy Spirit that we are able to tell God what we really need. Prayer is for the glory of the Lord and not for ourselves. We must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our prayers and speak for us as we pray.

The bottom line is our submission to the will of God through our prayers. While we must wrestle in prayer, we must also understand that God knows what answer to give. The Lord knows what's best for He knows what's in our hearts.

1 Corinthians 2:14–16

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Today's Thought: Listen to the Word of God and you will never go astray.

During the 2014 Winter Paralympics, Kelly Gallagher won the gold medal in the Super-G downhill skiing competition. The skiing competition was already a challenge for those who don't have disabilities, but Gallagher went to win the competition despite being blind. A guide skiis in front of her and tells her when to turn and make jumps through a wireless headset.

The Christian life is not a bed of roses. There are several challenges and obstacles to be won. But one cannot see them coming. We have a trustworthy guide of the Holy Spirit who "will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."

The Word of God provides a complete guide as well. We only need to read it and not be surprised by the difficulties ahead of us. The Lord has provided us the Holy Spirit and His Word to guide as through. We must use it everyday.

2 Corinthians 8:2-5

How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

Today's Thought: Giving is about the heart so be ready to give your heart.

When Edward Prince of Wales married Princes Alexandria of Denmark in 1863, the wedding was a major event in the entire England. The couple received thousands of gifts and presents. Commenting on the lavishness of gifts received by the couple, Charles Spurgeon said "The position of the Princess is such that we do not view it as any great liberality to subscribe to a diamond necklace, since those who give are honored by her acceptance."

Let us be reminded today that the issue is the motive of our giving. Those who gave to the royal couple found joy when the couple accepted their gifts. There was a sense of being honored and pride that such a Royal Couple of stature could accept gifts from commoners. It is in our giving to the Lord. We must understand what motivate us to give the way the Macedonian did that despite their great poverty they still gave.

The view we have with our resources is the same view we do have with the Lord. We give only to the Lord because we love Him. Otherwise, we won't be giving at all.

Numbers 14:7-9

And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not

Today's Thought: God can solve anything that we bring unto Him; we only need to have faith.

Out of the twelve spies that Moses sent to the Promised Land, ten reported with the details of the difficultiies ahead of then. Only Joshua and Caleb returned with the report on the details of God's power in winning the Promised Land for them. As a result, the people of Israel did not believe and they were also led in the wilderness for the next forty years of their lives.

The difficulties reported by the ten spies were true. They were real. There were giants in the land. The cities were walled. But to the Lord these are nothing. God gave them victory upon victory until they were able to claim the land promised to Abraham by the Lord.

There are difficulties in our lives. They are not imagined, but they are real. Amidst of these, let us be reminded of God's faithfulness as what J. Sidlow Baxter: What is the difference between an obstacle and an opportunity? Our attitude toward it. Every opportunity has a difficulty, and every difficulty has an opportunity.

James 4:3

 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Today's Thought: Ask wisely and the Lord will answer your prayer.

With the rise of online ordering, people can easily buy things without the need to physically visit the store. However, there are instances when the ordered item does not meet the expectation of the buyer. Some online stores would allow the return of these items with the option of substituting it with a better one.

When we pray to God, we must be tell Him to take our weak prayers and answer them according to His will. We do not see our prayers answered because they are selfish and only focuses on what we want. Instead, let make it a motive of our hearts and trust Him who knows the best to give us.

The Lord is a God of power and might and He will surely send us something far better than what we are asking Him. Let us trust the Lord to give us the best and let us hope that our prayers our answered accordingly.